The Private Diary of Esther Young

February 1st, 1774

The streets of Boston have been in pending trouble ever since the fateful night that took

place some months ago now. Philip, my dearest husband, has cautioned me to stay inside as

much as I can with the children for he is fearful that the British will retaliate any day now. Philip

works on the docks so he knew of the events that took place there, all the tea that was lost. I

myself was no fan of the tax on tea, but to go to those measures is beyond me. My youngest

brother Joshua told me just yesterday that he spoke to the elusive Samuel Adams. I haven’t quite

made up my mind on whether I approve of the man or not, but my darling brother seems to adore

him. Joshua said that Samuel was going to some meeting called the​ Continental Congress​ in a

few months to discuss what to do about these taxes. He mentioned the word ​boycott ​and said it

meant I couldn’t buy any British goods until they saw our demands. I told Joshua that it seemed

like a thorough plan, it would be more sound than violence that’s for sure; although I am unsure

of how long I can go without a cup of tea... Joshua also mentioned that he might go with Samuel

down to Philadelphia, I hope my brother does go for he hasn’t left Boston since the dreadful

French and Indian war.

My father was killed well over 15 years ago now, he was off fighting for the British when

his station of men was ambushed in the night by a tribe of Indians. I didn’t even bother finding

out the name of the men that killed him, I was drowning in sorrow so it slipped my mind to ask
the officer who told me of his death. I am grateful that my youngest brother made it out of that

war alive, and when he came home to me he brought with him a friend from the war, my Philip,

who I married not even a year after our first introductions.

Philip tells me that ​King George​ won’t stand for this kind of rebellious action that has

been taking place; when the colonies disobey him it makes him look like a foul, and a bad king,

says Philip. We’ve tested his patience before with the dreadful ​Stamp Act, ​that Act created a big

mess in Boston. We barely made ends meet when almost every paper product had a tax on it,

even playing cards had been taxed! ​Parliament​ was trying to make up the money that was lost

because of the terrible war, it created a tremendous ruckus in town. It was every man’s favorite

topic to yell about how Parliament thought they could make legislation for us when we didn’t

even have any actual representatives there. Philip explained to me that they lie to us colonists,

Parliament says we have something called ​Virtual Representation​, where they give us a

representative who hasn’t even set foot on this hemisphere but somehow has our best interests in

mind. This is another reason Joshua said Samuel Adams is going to that meeting, so they can

request actual representation. It’s blasphemy the way we’ve been treated these last years! But I

am worrisome of what the future may hold in store, tensions in Boston can be seen from miles

away (around 3,000 to be exact).